BOLTON people treating Bolton patients is the key to a healthcare service people can be proud of, according to the town’s health chiefs.

Jan Hutchinson, director of public health at Bolton NHS, and Lesley Doherty, the new chief executive at the Royal Bolton Hospital, have thrown their weight behind The Bolton News’ We’re Backing Bolton campaign.

The pair, who have spent much of the last decade working in the health sector in the town, say Bolton should be proud of the service their staff, many of whom are local, provide.

Ms Doherty said: “We have local people treating local people, which is great.

“I would say that 80 or 90 per cent of our staff live locally and many of those people were born and bred in Bolton.”

Despite the challenges facing public health over the next few years, due to the Government’s plans to reform the NHS while cutting expenditures, Ms Hutchinson believes Bolton is well-placed to deal with them.

She said: “We have a very good retention rate in terms of doctors who are trained through us so, unlike perhaps other areas, we do not have a problem with the local talent moving away.

“A lot of our GPs have been here for a very long time and that is a real benefit.”

The next 12 months will see work continue on the Bolton One centre, a multipurpose health, fitness and research facility close to the University of Bolton and the two college campuses in Bolton Town Centre.

Ms Hutchinson said: “The Bolton One centre is very visual and will be seen by a lot of people in the town centre every day.

“The great thing about it is that as well has having the centre to treat people, they will also be places which help people’s wellbeing, such as the swimming pool, and that is what the town centre has needed for some time.”

The Bolton News teamed up with Bolton Council to launch the We’re Backing Bolton campaign.

The aim of the campaign — which has already been backed by a host of local businesses — is to get Boltonians to take a fresh look at what the borough has to offer and to “think local” this Christmas.

Tell us what makes you proud to be from Bolton, or any positive stories about the town, by calling our newsdesk on 01204 537270.